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Breast Cancer

No reconstruction after rads?
Whoa, what's this? I am looking forward to my reconstruction after my radiation (six weeks of it). I am happy just to have implants. Is this not possible after radiation? Anyone have implants after radiation? I am small breasted and was planning on upping the stakes a little with the redo for fun. Yep, I look for fun where…
which reconstruction
Hello, group. It's ohilly. After much going back and forth, I have now decided to definitely get a mastectomy (I was leaning toward this anyway). So now I am going to focus my questions on the different types of reconstruction, which I understand are tram flap and implants. Can someone tell me their experiences with both…
more questions about the issue of mastectomy vs. lumpectomy
Hi, I'm ohilly. I have invasive intraductal carcinoma with a tumor of 1.8 cm. They also found calcifications contained in the duct behind this tumor which they do not know if they are cancerous or not. My mind was all made for a mastectomy, but now I have more questions which I am hoping someone can answer for me. I was…
Diep Flap Mayo
Has anyone out there had a diep flap from Mayo Clinic in Arizona? If so, I would like to know your experience, good or bad. Thanks!
Wigs - Where to Buy
With hair loss eminent due to chemo, I've decided to take the bull by the horns and get my head shaved BEFORE it clumps it way out of my scalp. I also want to get one wig, for just in case, I feel the need to have hair. Can anyone suggest a good source? How do they size wigs? The ones on the ACS catalog website run about…
arm pain during chemo
After my third a/c chemo I started feeling a pain in the arm I get my chemo in. and the pain has stayed about the same for a month. It seems to be just above the elbow and hurts when I extend my arm all the way and doesn't always hurt when in other positions. Of course I went into a funk thinking it was c in my bones.…
lumpectomy vs. mastectomy/update
Hi, it's ohilly. I have been on this board almost constantly since I was first diagnosed about two weeks ago. I have been diagnosed with invasive intraductal carcinoma with a 1 cm tumor. I am going to Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's, a teaching hospital in Chicago. For a long time I was going back and forth about whether or…
Anyone with a decent chemo experience?
If you have had a decent chemo experience would you be willing to share? I realize that chemo is a very individualized treatment and that it has many, many side effects. I may be facing chemo and have nightmares about it. If you've had a relatively decent course of chemo, please tell me about it. I think it would help…
Back from my reconstruction!!!
I am back from having my reconstruction done at UCLA Medical Center. Everything went well. I had to have 3 surgeries in 8 days. My surgeon, Dr James Watson, was amazing and treated me like gold as did his staff. The DIEP procedure done on the right looks real nice and I had an implant put in on the left for symmetry.I…
hair loss
I was just last week diagnosed with invasive intraductal breast cancer. They are still in the process of conducting a lot of tests on me, but have told me the tumor is very small (less than 1 cm) and that it is early stage breast cancer. It is still unclear whether or not I will have to have chemotherapy. Like everyone, I…
lumpectomy vs. mastectomy
I'm pretty sure you all know me by now: this discussion board is my lifeline, and I have been emailing it often. I am still in the process of having tests and probably will have my surgery next Friday. So far I have been told I have a small (1 cm) tumor. They felt under my arms and told me they couldn't feel anything,…
bone met skull
I was diagnosed with Breast cancer in 1997. It went to my ribs in 2003. Ihave been the same until now when I have a lesion in my skull. the doc wants to put me on Doxil every three wks with my Zometta. anyone else out there
how to deal with fear
I just started communicating on this board. I was diagnosed with intraductal invasive breast cancer two weeks ago at a small community hospital in Chicago. I took all my films and records and went to Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's. I don't know that much so far, but they told me my tumor seems small (1 cm) and when they felt…
Your experience - Support groups?
Greetings, all - today marks one week with one breast, I am now cancer free with no chemo and no radiation. I'm wondering about finding a support group here in DC. I am emotionally raw and trying to live in the moment, but as each day wears on I get real pissed off about pain that doesn't stop and muscles that cease up.…
4th. time breast cancer
Hello everyone. this is my 4th. time fighting cancer since 2003. it has gone to my bones. and on my lymph nodes again. they have me on gemzar and aredia. is anyone going through this and how are you doing with it. take care and God Bless you all
If you could 'go back', would you?
As a result of my wierd frame of mind, I came up with this. If one day a fairy came and said "I can turn back the clock, give you back everything you had before cancer, including a memory wipe of your treatment experience and all of the people you have met since diagnosis." would you? What do you think? Hugs, Kathi
A question for survivors
Hello, I am a 6 year survivor and have a question about what kind of precautionary steps your oncologist takes. I had my check-up with my oncologist only to find out that he has LEFT!! No one told me until I read the sign on the window in his office. I was devastated,felt like I lost my best friend (after all he saved my…
breast cancer treatment
I have just been diagnosed with intraductal invasive breast cancer. I am going to a large teaching hospital (Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's in chicago). I just met with my doctors today for the first time, but so far have been told that the tumor is very small (1 cm) and that it's early stage breast cancer. I have two…
Arimidex
Hi Everyone, I've been on arimidex now for 4 months...I'm having lower back pain and pain really bad all down my right leg...I've never had back pain before so I think its probably the arimidex...has this happened to anyone else and should I ask for another med?...thank you
inflammatory bc
Hey everybody, I haven't been on here and posted in quiet some time...Alot of new ladies here so None of U remember me,but I know there is alot of support here for everyone...Any way I have a few things to pass around and would really value some input especially on my last sentence. 1st January was 4 years from my last…
Deciding later to have the other breast removed...
I had a mastectomy with tram flap in 2001. I just had a biopsy because I am developing some skin changes in the remaining breast. I have been reassured by two surgeons that it isn't cancer looking but I will get the results of the biopsy on Thursday. When I was diagnosed, a double mastectomy wasn't discussed. Now, I am…
Cancer Markers
I want to know if anyone has had an alkaline phosphate test? My results have been 90, 102, 124 (taken 3 mos. apart). Is this anything to be concerned about?
New today
I found out I was on the wrong chat room and it meets on Tuesdays. Someone told me about this part and I thought I'd give it a try. I have a bilateral March 17 of 2007. It was in both sides and I finished chemo. Hair is back in and quite curly. I've had to have 2 reconstructions because the first one ended up on my…
Living with the long-term side effects
I know that this doesn't apply to everyone, but I'd like to hear from those that are affected, how they mentally manage the long term side effects of cancer treatment. I had my entire colon removed 4 years ago for early stage genetic colon cancer and ended up hospitalized within that same year for a small bowel obstruction…
Fluid around expanders
Has anyone heard of this? I had a bilateral mastectomy in October and had expanders put in. There was a bruised spot on one breast that turned black after radiation. It then appeared to fill with fluid - almost like a blister. My surgeon, started removing the fluid with a syringe, then decided to go ahead and cut a nickel…
new here
I am new to this site, but not new to breast cancer. I am 3 years ned. I am er/pr-, her2+, stage 1, and grade 3. I am doing good except for the lingering depression and sleeplessness. Oh yeah, and chemobrain. Right now it's very cold here and that adds to the depression, but zoloft helps. I'm just here to find out how to…
prophylactic coverage
Are insurance companies paying for any prophylactic mastectomies? I was under the impression that if my BRCAs were positive that the recommendation is bilateral mastectomy and total hysterectomy. What is the experience out there? Anyone get coverage for a prophylactic without positive gene testing?
New Year-Denial or Acceptance?
First: thanks to all my breast cancer sisters for being out there. You women have given me more hope than any of the doctors ever could (especially the doc who is always surprised to see me still around)!!! Well, I didn't make any New Year resolutions. 2007 was not my best year: 22 pos nodes, chemo, radiation, surgery,…
Decisions for treatment..
I had a unilateral mastectomy in 2001. Never thought about a double or a lumpectomy. My plastic surgeon did a beautiful job with a tram flap. So, I looked great but had a loss of sensation. That effected my sexual response significantly. I remember hearing back then that Europeans got lumpectomies. The didn't automatically…
bilateral reconstruction
Ladies, I am still seeking info about bilateral reconstruction using your own tissue vs. implants. See my posting on 1/15 below for further information. Does anyone have a suggestion for where to go for info? Thanks, seof

Breast Cancer

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